Skylar

Initial exam by our avian veterinarian:  This beautiful short-eared owl was alert but quiet on presentation.  The only initial injury found was a broken left wing that feels, unfortunately, close to the elbow.  Radiographs will be taken tomorrow to determine the exact nature of the fracture.  Internal injuries are always a possibility with any bird that has been hit by a car.  He was started on pain medication.  10/19/2017 Unfortunately the fractured radius was unable to be repaired surgically.  During surgery it was determined that the small piece of the radius at the elbow was actually broken into two pieces (which was not evident on the radiographs) which made any surgical repair impossible.  The wing was splinted.  He will be worked with by one of the trainers of our education birds to see if he has the personality to be an education bird.  Some birds are just too nervous and too scared to be education birds; it would be a miserable life if they were always afraid. 12/07/2017  He is doing fairly well on the glove but has developed a wound on his injured wing.  He is currently on pain medications and daily bandage changes.